Hi.  I have fished BWCA before, but always in July (and I'm not really that good of a fisherman, but I do love to do it and I'm very patient).  This year I am going May 17 and don't know what to expect.  It was an early spring, but then it cooled down.  I'd love to catch smallies (they open the 12th), but I don't know that they'll be on beds yet (or even how to find the beds).  Frankly, I don't really care what I catch as long as I'm able to catch something.

Any suggestions on gear/techniques/what to expect would be marvelous.

Thanks!

If you just want to catch something, trolling is probably the way to go.  There are several diving lures that will catch fish.  Just use different lures that dive to different depths.  Of course, trolling works better if you have a depth finder, sometimes called a fish finder.  You should also have a rod holder which will attach to your canoe.  When you catch something note how deep the water was and how deep you were fishing.  Generally, if you catch one fish there are other there.  So paddle the area a couple of times.  But don't over work an area.  If the fish want to bite, they have seen your lure and have had ample opportunity to strike after a few minutes.  With the exception of lake trout, most fish like to be very near or on the bottom.  So run your lure deep enough that you hit bottom with some regularity.  Will you get snagged up and lose lures?  Sure you will, but you will catch more fish if you keep your lure close to the bottom.  Fish also like rocks, boulders, and tree branches in the water.  So fish those areas and lose more lures.  Finally, fish areas where the depth of the water is changing.  Can you catch fish were the bottom is flat sand or mud?  Sure you can, but not as many as where your lures gets snagged.  My son and I view getting our lures free after they snag on something as part of the challenge and fun of fishing.  Oh, there is a direct correlation and probably a cause and effect on how long your lure is in the water and how many fish you catch.  Early morning and late evening are generally best, but those hours represent a small part of the day.  Westwood.

Trolling is always a good way to catch fish as well as check out a lake's shoreline and map the bottom structure as you go.
But if there is a time of year that casting shorelines can be very productive it is early season - May thru Mid June. Fish are seeking warm water at this time so look for spots in the lake where the water warms first. Start shallow looking for dark bottoms, river and creek inlets, windy shores where the warmer surface water is "piling up". Shores with a lot of downed wood tend to be dark and warm water faster and also provide a place for fish to hide.
This would also be the time of year when you could find fish fairly easily without a depth finder. Especially if you are not fussy about what kind of fish you want to catch. You might find a thermometer useful at this time of year. When you find a particular area that holds fish, check the temp and then look for other similar areas. Smaller lures worked more slowly might also be more productive.

This is the same time I Will be in quetico aswell and I have always gone in early june so I am hoping the fishing conditions will be similar with this early spring. We always do well trolling shoreline. Some lakes/bays produce more then others and it usually has to do with water depth and clearity in my opinion. Troll baits that go different depths to figure out where fish are, and if you are near any moving water this time of year I would say jigging would be very productive for the walleye, depending on the water temps again.

Thanks for all of the advice.  I cannot wait to get up there.  I will be heading out into the Horseshoe/Gaskin/Winchell area.

All great advice.
I too like to fish but am far from being a good fisherman.
Two things work for me when I can go in May my favorite time.
Unless the weather prevents it, I'm trolling a lure all the time. You can play with different baits for depth/color until you start hitting fish.

I do something that might be a bit controversial but works for me. On a stick bait with trebles, I remove all but the tail treble.
Cuts way down on hang-ups and while I probably do miss some hook-ups, the fishing is normally so good, I don't know what I'm missing ;D

I also never miss a chance to fish any spot with moving water and that includes the numerous seasonal run-offs you'll find along the shoreline.
Bugs get washed into lake, attract bait fish and you can take advantage of that.
I just anchor out where the run-off disperses and cast into flow and do a slow retrieve.
You'll be pleasantly surprised at the size/species of fish that can't resist that easy meal.

jolo72 wrote on Apr 24^th, 2012 at 1:12am:

Thanks for all of the advice.  I cannot wait to get up there.  I will be heading out into the Horseshoe/Gaskin/Winchell area.

I will see you there! I'm going into that area the 22 of May! If your patient you will catch something! You can't swing a dead cat in the boundary waters without hitting a Northern Pike!

Thanks again for the advice.  What do you guys use for anchors?  I've always tried a bag full of rocks, but never been terribly successful with them.  Perhaps I need two bags, one for the front and one for the back?

Anchors away.......who uses anchors?

If you have a stable platform and know right where the fish are and it gets a little snotty we have used drift bags to great effect. Just make sure you can retrieve them efficiently and avoid tying off amidship as it will put you broadside to the waves. Safety is always paramount but they can be used very effectively and they will cut your drift in a canoe by 3/4, plus they are lightweight and easily stowed.

For an anchor it's always a dunk bag filled with rocks but like MT said , last year we used a drift bag and it worked better than expected. Piragis sells lightweight ones but i asked mom to sew one up from some nylon and webbing. It was great to see her excited to make something useful for us.

I have always used a basketball net, tied closed at the bottom and full of rocks, as an anchor. Cheap, lightweight and packs down to nothing.
A drift sock really helps slow you down on those windy days. And there always seems to be at least one of those.

Pat

rlageman3 wrote on May 1^st, 2012 at 12:00am:

I have always used a basketball net, tied closed at the bottom and full of rocks, as an anchor. . Pat

I do this too. I find the net doesn't abrade as easy as the mesh bag type anchors do. They also don't fill with fine gravel/sand/muck.

Interesting suggestion on the basketball nets.

When looking for drift socks for a canoe, are there certain things to look for or stay away from?

Yep the mesh bags do wear out.
I really haven't used the drift sock that much. Last year was first time and for whatever reason i took it out near the end of a windy week. I'd guess durability is prob low on the priority list and of course lightweight and packable more important. This one feels like under 1# with all the rope attached.

jolo72 wrote on May 1^st, 2012 at 11:38pm:

Interesting suggestion on the basketball nets. When looking for drift socks for a canoe, are there certain things to look for or stay away from?

I have never used one in my solo but we did use one to great effect on a Bell Northwoods which is an 18' tandem. A nice stable boat even in big weather.

You must be able to retrieve it after it is deployed (DUH!). I tied mine off to the seat struts. allow enough scope (extra line) to position the bag so it reaches beyond the stern. We had a midsized bag (suggested for a 16' aluminum type fishing boat outboard etc) and it stopped us from blowing by a wall which seemed to have quite a few fish on it.

Be careful retrieving it. Easy does it. Most bags will have a small line from front to back which will allow you to pull the bag from the rear which in essence empties it. They are very handy but you must have a good idea of where the fish are to begin with.

Deploying it from your stern seat will line your stern into the waves. That is a good thing for the most part. If your partner is light in the bow you might consider reversing it. Either way is OK......just don't tie off amidship (middle) lest you position your drift sideways to the waves and you broach.

Bank bags made of canvas used by businesses to transport lage coin orders make excellent anchor bags.  Many retail stores or restuarants probably have them lying around and they'd be free for the asking.

Just cut slits along the top edge to thread your anchor line through and a couple more in the bottom to drain the water and you are all set.

Quote:

Bank bags made of canvas used by businesses to transport lage coin orders make excellent anchor bags.  Many retail stores or restuarants probably have them lying around and they'd be free for the asking.

While your at it, get a few extra ones for cooling your fillet fish during hot weather or when you catch dinner early and have a few miles to paddle/portage before setting camp.

Fillet your catch, seal in zip lock and put in canvas bag secured with Bungee cord.
Soak canvas and store under seat out of direct sun. Wet as needed. Will keep fillet cool/fresh for hours even on the hottest day.

Precisely.  I do the same.  One item, multiple uses!

Heading out in 3 days -- any last minute advice?

Thanks!

Don't forget to use the toilet before you go.

Right.  Holding it the whole time is hard enough as it is!